OSU Nutrient Management Research Project to Validate Phosphorus Index, Help Farmers Choose Best Practices, Provide Contributor Data

OABA is Asking Members for Help in Funding Critical Project

The issue of nutrient management and water quality has come to the forefront in Ohio over the last few years. As you know, Governor Kasich created a task force headed by the State Directors of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environmental Protection which met numerous times between August 2011 and January 2012. Last week, the group recently released their water quality recommendations, which encouraged 4R Nutrient Management and noted that awareness and additional research is needed.

At the same time, Dr. Elizabeth Dayton of The Ohio State University (OSU) developed a proposal to do edge-of-field testing primarily in the Grand Lake St. Marys and Western Lake Erie Basin areas to validate the phosphorous index, study the effect of Best Management Practices on phosphorous transport, and develop a tool to help farmers choose the best practices to control phosphorous runoff and also make economic sense.

The research and testing will also provide valuable data that will identify the extent to which Ohio agriculture is contributing to the phosphorous issue in the state waters. At present, there is limited data available to aid in decision making concerning this issue. Dr. Dayton presented her project to the Ohio AgriBusiness Association (OABA) Board of Directors in January, at which time the board voted overwhelmingly to support Dr. Dayton’s project. 

While the water quality recommendations focus on voluntary action, it is critical for the agriculture industry to take action to solve the problem – and to invest in solid research (such as the project highlighted here) – to continue collaboration and to minimize the chance of future regulation.

Dr. Dayton’s project (click here for a project summary) involves OSU Extension and other support from OSU, United States Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resource Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS) and USDA’s Agriculture Research Service (USDA-ARS) and is truly a collaborative effort. In September, the Ohio Soybean Council approved initial funding of $200,000 to support Dr. Dayton’s project. Shortly thereafter, the Ohio Corn Marketing Program approved $100,000 and the Ohio Small Grains Marketing Program approved $200,000 in support of Dr. Dayton’s research. More recently, OABA members have begun to pledge their support. The Anderson’s Inc. is providing $100,000 through their foundation and Trupointe Cooperative has donated a vehicle to assist in the research.

This generous support is greatly appreciated, and additional resources are required to fund this important three-year project. What makes additional support so important in the near term is that a USDA Conservation Innovation Grant (CIG) proposal will be submitted in early April seeking up to one million dollars from the USDA to support this work. In order to receive this CIG funding, cash support will be needed to match up to 70 percent of the grant request.

OABA is asking for your help in funding this critical research project. Please consider making a donation of cash to this project. Letters of commitment must be submitted directly to Elizabeth Dayton (click here for her contact information) no later than March 28, 2012.

The research team, OABA and other supporters are available to answer questions. Direct contact information for Dr. Dayton is included in the attached document.